Apparatus for serging and fringing



June 15, 1965 B. L. CHAMBERS 3,188,990

APPARATUS FOR SERGING AND FRINGING Filed April 12, 1962 INVENTOR. I Bynom L. Chambers ATTORNEY means for feeding the fringe yarn to the air nozzle.

Patented June 15, 15

Emmi

3,188,990 APPARATUS FQR SEERGING AND FRiNGliNG Byncrn 1.. Chambers, Daiton, (3a., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Belindco, Inc, Atlanta, Ga, :1 corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 186,956 8 Claims. (Cl. 11264) This invention relates in general to an apparatus for serging and fringing, and more specifically to a serging machine and an attachment adapted thereto for permitting the serging machine to perform either a serging operation, or a combined serging and fringing operation.

An object of this invention is to provide a fringing attachment adapted for use on a conventional serging machine for rendering the serging machine selectively operative for performing either a serging operation or a combined serging and fringing operation.

Another object is to provide a fringing attachment which is readily adapted for use on a conventional serger,

I and which is rendered operable to feed yarn by use of air, thereby permitting an item to be completely ser-ged and fringed in one operation, or alternately to prohibit the feed of yarn thereby permitting the serger to perform a serging operation only.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fringing attachment which can be readily adapted to a conventional serger and which is relatively simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and positive in operation.

The above objects and other features and advantages in this invention are attained by a fringing attachment which can be readily fitted to a conventional serger. Essentially the attachment comprises a bracket for supporting an air nozzle and an air valve for controlling the flow of air thereto. Cooperating with the air nozzle are The feeding means comprise essentially a pair of cooperating feed rollers which, when rendered operative, feed the yarn to the air nozzle during the serging operation of the machine, and the yarn being subsequently fed under the sewing needles of the serging machine by the stream of air fiowing through the air nozzle. According to this invention means are provided for simultaneously controlling the feed of the yarn to the air nozzle and the flow of air through the nozzle. The control means for accomplishing the same is constructed and arranged so as to simultaneously actuate the air valve and the cooperating feed rollers. The arrangement is such that actuation of the control means renders the serging machine capable of performing either a combined fringing and serging operation or alternately a straight serging operation.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a single control means whereby the selection of the desired operation can be readily obtained with a minimum of effort or physical movement on the part of the operator.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and the description thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a conventional sergingmachine with the fringing attachment of this invention connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged left end view of FIG. 1 illustrating the attachment per se.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a conventional serging machine 15). The serging machine 14 is essentially a sewing machine of the type disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 2,286,436; 2,418,429; and 2,423,996; and arranged to effect a serging sttich operation on an article such as e.g. a bedspread, mat, rug or other article. Accordingly, the serging machine 10 comprises essentially a standard 11 in which the main drive shaft thereof is driven by means of a belt drive 12 connecting to a suitable power or motor means 12A.

In order that the articles such as bedspreads, rugs, and the like may be fringed simultaneously with the serging operation being performed thereon, an attachment 13 is provided, which in accordance with this invention, renders the serger 1t operative to selectively perform either a serging operation or a combined serging and fringing operation. In accordance with this invention the fringing attachment 13 comprises essentially a bracket 14 by which the attachment 13 may be readily mounted to the end of a conventional serging machine 19. Mounted on the bracket 14 is an air valve 15 having an outlet 16 which is connected by a suitable conduit 1'7 to an air nozzle 18. The tip of the air nozzle 18 is disposed adjacent the thread guide 19, the pressure foot 2! and the needle assembly 21 of the serger 1%). The thread guide 19 in turn is connected to the end of a lever 1% which is fulcrum intermediate the ends thereof about a pivot 19b. The other end or upper end of lever 19a is suitably connected into driving relationship with shaft 27 by means of a transmission Iink 190. Thus, the arrangementis such that rotation of shaft 21 transmits through the transmission link an oscillating movement through the thread guide 19. Accordingly, the nozzle 18 connected to the end of a flexible conduit 17 is in turn maintained in axial alignment with the thread guide 19 by means of a coupling bracket 19d carried by lever HA. Thus, it will be noted that the nozzle 18 is oscillated in unision with the thread guide 19 during a fringing operation.

The air valve 15 includes a stem 22 which extends beyond the body 23 of the valve, and has formed therein an elongated slot 24-. The purpose of the air nozzle 18 is to feed the fninge forming yarn 36 under the needles 21 during the performance of the serging operation so that the fringing and the serging may be simuitaneously performed in the same operation.

Cooperating with the air nozzle are feed means 25 which, when rendered operative, feed the yarn to the air nozzle 18. The feed means 25 comprise a master roller 2-6 which is fixed to a drive shaft 27 which is rotatably journaled to the backside of the machine as viewed in FIG. 1. The drive shaft 27 in turn is connected into driving relationship with the main drive shaft by means of a chain drive 27A. Then the master feed roller is rendered operative when the serger 10 is operating.

Cooperating with the master feed roller 26 is an idler feed roller 28 which is adapted to be moved into and out of driving relationship with the master feed roller 26. A spring 29 is provided to normally urge the idler feed roller 28 into driving relationship with the master feed roller 26. Thus, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 2, the idler roller 28 when in driving relationship engages the master roller 26 to grip there-between the yarn 36, and thus effects feeding of the same through hole 3% formed in the air nozzle 18. In this manner, the yarn 36 is introduced into the air stream flowing through the air nozzle, and the stream of air flowing therethrough feeds the yarn under the needles during a serging and fringing operation.

As shown, the idler roller 28 is rotatably journaled to one end of an arm 31. The other end of arm 31 is connected to a pivot shaft 32, the latter being journaled to bracket 14. Connected to the pivot shaft 32 and rendered movable with arm 31 is a yarn locking arm 33 to which there is connected a yarn lock 34.

Thus, for fringing the yarn 36 forming the fringe is first taken from a supply spool (not shown) and is threaded through an aperture 35 formed in bracket 14. The yarn is then passed between rollers 26 and 28, and thence to the opening 3!? formed in the air nozzle. Actuation of the feed rollers 26, 28 will then feed the yarn to the air nozzle 18 when the drive means 25 is rendered solenoid 38 which is suitably connected to the bracket,

and which solenoid is connected into a suitable electrical circuit 48. Reciprocally mounted within the solenoid coil 39 is a solenoid plunger 40'. Connected to the one 7 end of the solenoid plunger 40 is a linkage assembly 41 which comprises a link 42- pivotally connected to link 43 about pivot 45. Pivotally connected to the other end of link 43 is a wedge-shaped plunger 44- Which iszarranged to extend into the slot 24 of the valve stern22. Thus, it

will be noted that as a solenoid plunger 40 moves in and out of its coil 39, the movement thereof through links 42 and 43 will effect reciprocable movement of the wedge plunger 44 in slot 24. Reciprocable movement of the wedge plunger 44 thus effects the opening and closing of the air valve 23 accordingly to control the flow ofair therethrough, I

Interconnected with linkage assembly 41 between pivot 45 of links42 and 43, and pivot 32," is an interconnecting link 46. Thus, as shown, by the dot dash lines of FIG. 2, retraction of the solenoid plunger 40'to theleftwi'll effect the closing of the air valvewith simultaneous movement, of'the idler roller28 out of engagement with the master roller 26. Simultaneous with'the movementof the idler roller 28 toward inoperative position about pivot 32 is the pivoting of the arm '33 to a position, as shown by the dot dash line of FIG.- 2, the yarn lock 34 carried there-v by against the aperture 35 formed in bracket 14,to thus wedge or lock the yarn between the bracket 14 and the yarn lock 34 to prevent further feeding of the same.

The operationiof the solenoid 38-is effected by an actuation of a switch 47 which is connected into the sole: noid circuit 48.

7 closing the switch 47, which for example,.may'be a knee switch'actuated by an operator with his knee, the fringingoperationrnay' be selectively rendered operative or inoperative. k t

From the foregoing, it'will be readily apparent that the actuation of the switch 47 will effect closing of the air valve to cease the flow of air to the air nozzle 18, moving of the idler roller 28 out of engagement of the feed roller of the item whichhe is serging,for fringing and serging. As a result, this gives the, operator greater speed and con-.

Thus, it will be noted that by simply I claimz,

' 1. In combination with a sewing machine, the improvement of an air fringing attachment operatively connected to said machine for permitting said machine to be selectively operated for performing either a straight serging operation vor combined serging and fringing operation, said attachment including an air nozzle, means for supplying air to said nozzle, means for feeding yarn to said air nozzle during a sergirig and fringing operation whereby the yarn entering the air]. stream flowing through said air nozzle is fed to the sewing machine to form the fringe,

and means operative for simultaneously stopping the feed of said yard and flow of air through said nozzle when only the sergin'g operation is to be preformed.

2. In combination with a serger having a main drive shaft operatively connected to a sewing needle, and a means, for driving the same, the improvement'of an air fringing attachment operatively connected to said serger 'for permitting said serger to be selectively operated for performing either a straight serging operation or a combined 'sergingand fringing operation, said attachment including an air nozzle, means for supplying air to said nozzle, and means for feeding yarn to said air'nozzle during the sergingan'd fringing operation of said serger whereby the yarn fed to said air nozzle is fed under the needles to for-n1 the fringe by the air flowing through the air nozzle, and means operative for'simultaneously stopping the feed of said yarn and flow of air to the air nozzle to permit only the serging operation to occur.

3. A'fringi'ng attachment for use with a serging machine comprising anair nozzle, a valve for controlling the flow of air to said nozzle, a solenoid means, means operatively connecting said valve with solenoid means whereby operation of said valve is attained by energizing said solenoid means, feed means for feeding yarn to said air nozzle whereby air flowing to said nozzle feeds said yarn during a fringing'oper-ation, and means operatively connecting said feed means with said solenoid means so th at'energizing ofsai-d solenoid means effects operation of said feed meanssimu-lt-aneously with the operation of saidvalv-e means. I

" 4. A fringing-attachmentcomprising an air nozzle, 21

' valve for controlling a flow of air to said nozzle, a soletrol-over production'of an individual piece. From the foregoing description it will be apparent that either serging, or serging and fringingcan be selectively performed in a relatively simple and positive manner by means of the described attachment located on a conventional 'serg-- ing machine. 7 v

' While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment forpracticing the same, it is to be appreciated that the invention isvnot to noid means having a reciprocating plunger, a linkage interconnecting said va-lve'with the plunger of solenoid means whereby operationof said valve is attained by energizing said solenoid means, feed means for feeding yarn to said air nozzle whereby air flowing through said nozzle feeds. said yarn during a fringing operation, and meansfor connecting said'feed meanswith said solenoid means so that energizing of said'solenoid means effects operation of. said feed, means simultaneously with the openation of said valve means.

5; Inv combination, a sewing machine for serging, said sewing ma-chine having-a main drive shaft, a needle bar and a sewing 'need-le operatively. connected thereto, a powermeans for driving said drive shaft, a fringing attachrnent connected to said m'a:chine, .said attachment includingbrac ket connected to the end of the machine, an air nozzle, means including an air valve -for controlling the fiowtof air totsaid nozzle, a master, feed roller rotatably journaled on said bracket,means connecting said master feedroller in driving relationship to said main drive shaft, an;,idling feed,roller cooperating with said feed roller, springmeansnormally urging said idle feed roller int'o" driving engagement with said feed roller to feed yarn into said air nozzle during a serging and tiring .ing operation whereby theyarn fed to said air nozzle is jdeliveredunder the needles during a fringing operation be taken as limited to all the details thereof as modifica tions and variations thereof maybe made without departing fromthe spiritor scope of the invention.

' said yarn to said needle.

by the air stream flowing through said nozzle, andmeans for simultaneously actuating saidvalve to cut off the supply of air to said air nozzle and for disengaging the idling feed'ro-ller from'sa-id' feed roller to the feed of v 6: In cornbintion, a sewing machine for serging, said sewing machine having a main drive shaft, a needle bar and a sewing needle operatively connected thereto, a power means for driving said drive shaft, :1 fringing attachment connected to said machine, said attachment including bracket connected to the end of the machine, an air nozzle, means including an air valve for controlling the flow of air to said nozzle, a master feed roller rotatably journ'aled on said bracket, means connecting said master feed roller in driving relationship to said main drive shaft, an idling feed ro l'ler cooperating with said feed roller, spring means normally urging said idle feed roller into driving engagement with said feed roller, to feed yarn into said air nozzle during a serging and fringing operation whereby the yarn fed to said air nozzle is delivered under the needles during a fringing operation by the air stream flowing through said nozzle, a solenoid having a reciproca'ble plunger, and a linkage means operatively associated with said air valve and idler roller whereby said valve and idler roller upon activation of said solenoid simultaneously controls the operation of said valve and said idler feed roller.

7. An air fringing attachment for use on serging machine comprising a bracket adapted for mounting the attachment to the machine, an air nozzle through which a stream of air is adapted to flow, a valve for controlling the flow of air therethrough, said valve having a valve stem extending beyond the body of the valve and having an elongated slot therein, a solenoid mounted on said bracket, said solenoid including a reciprocating plunger, 21 wedge shaped plunger receivable in the slot in said valve stem, a linkage interconnecting said wedge shaped plunger to the solenoid plunger whereby activation of the latter affects opening and closing of said valve accordingly for controlling the flow of air to said nozzle, and means for feeding yarn to said nozzle when said air valve is open, said feeding means including an aperture formed in said bracket through which said yarn is threaded, a master feed roller rotatably journaled on said bracket, a cooperating idler feed roller, an arm pivotally mounted to said bracket for moving said cooperating idler feed roller in and out of driving engagement with said master feed roll for feeding said yarn to said air nozzle, a yarn locking means operatively connected to the arm of said cooperating feed roller and movable therewith for locking and unlocking said yarn to said bracket, a connecting link connected between said linkage and said pivot arm whereby actuation of said solenoid plunger simultaneously effects operation of said valve, said cooperating idler feed roller, and said yarn locking means for cutting oif the air to the air nozzle and ceasing the feed of said yarn to said nozzle when serging is to be performed without fringing.

8. An air fringing attachment for use on serging machines comprising a bracket adapted for mounting the attachment to the machine, an air nozzle through which a stream of air is adapted to flow carried on said bracket, a valve for controlling the flow of air therethrough, said valve having a valve stem extending beyond the body of said valve, said stem having'an elongated slot therein, a solenoid mounted on said bracket, said solenoid including a reciprocating plunger, a wedge shaped plunger receivable in the slot in said valve stem, a linkage assembly including a pair of link arms connected by a common pivot, one or" said link arms being connected to said wedge shaped plunger and the other of said link arms being connected to said solenoid plunger whereby activation of the solenoid affects a reciprocal movement of said wedge shaped plunger to open and close said valve accordingly for controlling the flow of air to said nozzle, means for feeding yarn to said nozzle when air is flowing there/through, said feeding means including an aperture in said bracket through which said yarn is threaded, a master feed roller rotatably journaled on said bracket, means adaptable for connecting said master feed roller into driving relationship to the drive of a serging machine, a cooperating idler feed roller, an arm pivotally mounted to said bracket for moving said cooperating idler feed roller into and out of engagement with said master feed roll for feeding said yarn to said air nozzle, a yarn looking means operatively connected to the arm of said cooperating fee-d roller and rendered movable therewith for stopping the feed of said yarn to said nozzle, and a connecting link connected between the common pivot of said link arms and the pivot of said feed roller arm whereby actuation of said solenoid plunger simultaneously effects operation of said valve, said cooperating idler feed roller, and yarn locking means for cutting oit the air to the air nozzle and for ceasing the feed of said yarn to said nozzle when serging is to be performed without fringing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,005,831 10/11 Hemleb 11264 1,919,674 7/33 Wcnczel 11 2--78 2,599,226 6/52 Briem l'12218 2,866,424 12/58 Masland 112-79 2,880,684 4/59 Masland 1l279 3,084, 643 4/63 Caylor ll-264 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner, 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A SEWING MACHINE, THE IMPROVEMENT OF AN AIR FRINGING ATTACHMENT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MACHINE FOR PERMITTING SAID MACHINE TO BE SELECTIVELY OPERATED FOR PERFORMING EITHER A STRAIGHT SERGING OPERATION OR COMBINED SERGING AND FRINGING OPERATION, SAID ATTACHMENT INCLUDING AN AIR NOZZLE, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO SAID NOZZLE, MEANS FOR FEEDING YARN TO SAID AIR NOZZLE DURING A SERGING AND FRINGING OPERATION WHEREBY THE YARN ENTERING THE AIR STREAM FLOWING THROUGH SAID AIR NOZZLE IS FED TO THE SEWING MACHINE TO FORM THE FRINGE, AND MEANS OPERATIVE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY STOPPING THE FEED OF SAID YARD AND FLOW OF AIR THROUGH SAID NOZZLE WHEN ONLY THE SERGING OPERATION IS TO BE PERFORMED. 